A unique method utilizing antinucleotide antibodies for evaluating changes in the levels of modified nucleosides of tRNAs from crude extracts of whole cells.

The utilization of antibodies directed toward modified nucleosides in evaluating changes in the levels of certain modified nucleosides in transfer RNA is reported. Antibodies directed toward the N6-(delta 2-isopentenyl)adenosine modification were used in this model system with a mutant strain of Escherichia coli designated ipaA. The procedure is rapid, sensitive, and specific. In addition, it does not depend on the existence of an in vitro remodification system or any radiochemical labeling of the tRNA. By varying the extraction technique, the method could be applied to procaryotic or eukaryotic cell lines. The existence of antibodies specific for other nucleoside modifications makes this a system that is potentially applicable to a variety of deficiencies in the modification of both tRNA and rRNA.